A crime is any intentional act that violates the law, results in property damage or loss, or causes physical or psychological injury. Crime can take many forms, and almost everyone will be a victim of one at some point in their life. Crime impacts people of all ages, places, and origins. Crimes are actions carried out in public, making them subject to punishment from the government. There are many different types of crimes, and anyone can commit them, whether intentionally or unintentionally. There may be several of them, you know.
Crimes against the person (e.g., assault).
Crimes against property (e.g., theft, fraud, vandalism)
Financial crime (sometimes known as white-collar crime)
How Can Crime Affect You?
Because every individual is unique, crime will have varying effects on them. The most important thing is to realize that any changes in your feelings may be a result of the traumatic event you have experienced. One of the things that might make a crime so challenging to deal with is knowing that someone else did it on purpose. Crimes are committed with the intent to harm, unlike accidents or illnesses.
It doesn’t matter how “serious” the crime was; the consequences might linger for a long time. A relatively modest incident can cause significant distress for some people, while the most heinous atrocities can be handled by others rather well.
- After committing a crime, some people are shocked by how emotional they feel. Your sense of unease and confusion may worsen as a result of these intense feelings.
- People can occasionally feel perfectly normal for a while before things start to go wrong.
- Many victims place the responsibility on themselves or are too ashamed to seek treatment; it’s crucial to keep in mind that you are not at fault.
Types of Crime
The most significant aspects of the main types of crime and the problems they present for public safety and crime prevention are highlighted here.
1. Violent Crime
It is true that violent crime is the form of crime that most worries Americans and that it affects many areas across the nation, even if the news media exaggerates the
problem, as we discussed previously. This chapter started with a news article that serves as a reminder that too many individuals are victims of violent crime, which keeps some people cooped up in their houses and makes others reluctant to let their kids play outside or even walk to school. Because many women worry about rape and sexual assault, they are more likely than males to fear being victims.
2. Property Crime
Criminals’ roles and social networks can be used to understand property crime. The majority of property thieves are amateurs since they don’t have much experience committing crimes, they are young, and they only get a tiny amount of money from each theft. They also don’t plan their crimes; instead, they perform them when they see a chance to get quick money illegally. Professional property thieves, on the other hand, are typically older, possess considerable criminal skills, and make a comparatively substantial profit from each heist. Perhaps the quintessential example of a professional property offender is the so-called “cat burglar,” who scales lofty buildings to steal diamonds, pricey artwork, or substantial quantities of money.
3. White-Collar Crime
White-collar crime is a type of non-violent crime where money is usually the primary motivating factor. Most white-collar offenders hold a position of authority and/or respect in their career, one that pays significantly more than the norm. Edwin Sutherland, a criminologist and sociologist, first used the term “white-collar crime” in the 1930s. He used the term to characterize the kinds of crimes that are frequently committed by “persons of respectability”—those who are acknowledged to have a high social standing.
Types of White-Collar Crime
The following are among the many offenses that fall under the broad category of white-collar crime:
- Fraud
The term “fraud” is broad and includes a variety of tactics used to cheat individuals out of their money. Offering to send someone a large amount of money (say, $10,000) in exchange for sending the scammer a smaller amount (say, $300), which the scammer may claim is a processing or finder’s fee, is one of the most popular and straightforward schemes. Naturally, the fraudster receives the money that is sent to him, but he never sends the money that he has promised.
- Insider Trading
Insider trading is when a trader uses their knowledge of important, confidential information to their advantage in the financial markets. For instance, a worker at an
An investment bank might be aware that Company A is getting ready to buy Company B. With the hope that the price of the company’s shares would increase dramatically when the acquisition is made public, the employee may purchase stock in Company B.
- Ponzi Scheme
An investment scam that promises investors huge returns is known as a Ponzi scheme after its original perpetrator, Charles Ponzi. With the money that new investors have placed, it gives these returns to the original investors. A house of cards falls, leaving many investors with significant losses when the scammer can no longer draw in enough new customers to pay off the existing ones.
- Identity Theft and Other Cybercrimes
Most common computer crimes include identity theft and “hacking” of computer systems. An estimated $2 billion was lost in 2019 due to identity theft in the United States alone. With more than 73,000 recorded cases, California was the state where identity theft most affected its inhabitants. Florida came in second with 37,000 reported cases.
- Counterfeiting
Due to the necessity to resist counterfeiting, our currency has expanded in detail and become more vibrant. It was simply too simple to counterfeit the old currency using the sophisticated laser printers and computers of today. The success of the government’s initiatives in this field, however, is debatable. Within 24 hours of the new $100 bill’s initial release, rumors claim that extremely high-quality duplicates were accessible.
4. Organized Crime
Crime committed by groups or organizations whose primary function is to perpetrate such crimes is referred to as organized crime. Over time, so have African Americans, Jews, Irish Americans, and other ethnic groups. These other involvements are overlooked, and the focus on Italian dominance of organized crime takes attention away from the true causes of organized crime.
Because organized crime meets public wants for commodities and/or services, it exists and even flourishes. During the 1920s, organized crime thrived because it was all too willing and able to supply alcohol, an illegal product that the public still wanted long after Prohibition started. Products and services like illicit drugs, prostitution, pornography, loan sharking, and gambling are some of the ways that organized crime makes a significant amount of money these days.
5. Consensual Crime
Consensual crime is the term used to describe actions that people take voluntarily and willingly despite breaking the law. Using drugs illegally. One of the main types of consensual crime is alcohol and other drugs; other types include pornography, gambling, and prostitution. Individuals who engage in unlawful gambling, consume pornography, hire themselves out as prostitutes or hire a prostitute, or use illegal narcotics do so because they wish to. The phrase “consensual crime” is sometimes chosen over “victimless crime” since these actions are not victimless; for instance, those who take illegal drugs may hurt both themselves and other people. Some of the illicit goods and services that make up consensual crime are supplied by organized crime, as was just mentioned. Still, these goods and services undoubtedly originate from other sources.
The consequences of crime
The negative effects of crime can be felt by victims, offenders, communities, and society at large.
The impact on people may be
- physical
The effects of attack injuries might be either temporary or permanent.
- Emotional
Victims may suffer from fear, anxiety, and stress, which could lead to isolation and strained relationships.
- Financial
Families may experience financial strain if they lose money or possessions.
- Psychological Factors
Some personality features have been linked to a higher risk of committing crimes. Some characteristics that have been connected to criminal behavior include impulsivity, sensation-seeking, low empathy, aggression, and a lack of conscience or shame (which is a sign of psychopathy).
There are cognitive components to criminal behavior. People with deficiencies in executive functions, decision-making, and problem-solving abilities may resort to criminal activity as a means of resolving issues or accomplishing objectives.
Criminal behavior may be related to mental health problems, especially when severe illnesses like conduct disorder, antisocial personality disorder, or substance use disorders are present. It is essential to acknowledge, though, that the majority of individuals with mental health disorders do not engage in criminal activity.
A person’s likelihood of committing crimes later in life can be significantly impacted by adverse childhood experiences, such as neglect, emotional or physical abuse, or exposure to violence. Maladaptive coping mechanisms and brain development can result from early stress.
Conclusion
Society is severely and negatively impacted by crime. Entire communities are affected, not just the victims or their families, who are immediately affected. People begin to feel afraid and unsafe in their areas when crimes occur frequently. Punishment alone is not enough to combat crime. We should examine the underlying causes of crime, such as unemployment, poverty, and illiteracy, and seek to address them. Crime can be stopped before it begins by providing young people with greater opportunities, safe places to develop, and positive role models. When we look out for one another, help our communities, and give people hope for a better future,
Frequently Asked Questions
How do crime shows affect society?
In addition to being a popular form of art and entertainment, many Americans believe that true crime has the power to alter public perceptions of crime and the criminal justice system. According to 63% of Americans, watching true-crime shows increases people’s awareness of their surroundings and level of caution.
What is called crime?
“I decide” or “give judgment” is the Latin root from which the word “crime” originates; rather than referring to personal wrongs, crime in ancient Greece and Rome more often referred to intellectual errors or transgressions against the community. “Sinfulness” was the definition of crime in 13th-century English.
What is the impact of crime?
Crime can have bodily repercussions, emotional and psychological effects, and financial loss, as well as social repercussions like family strife.
How does society react to crime?
By implementing laws and regulations and punishing those who violate them, societies attempt to define, suppress, and prevent crime.
